Baby bibs

ABSTRACT

A bib includes a front sheet having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side, and a second side, a first shoulder strap extending from, and integrally formed with, the top portion of the front sheet, a second shoulder strap extending from, and integrally formed with, the top portion of the front sheet, a first side portion extending from the first side of the front sheet, and a second side portion extending from the second side of the front sheet, wherein the first side portion and the first shoulder strap at least partially define a first arm opening, and wherein the second side portion and the second shoulder strap at least partially define a second arm opening.

FIELD

This application relates generally to baby products, and morespecifically, to baby bibs.

BACKGROUND

Baby bibs are worn by babies to shield clothing from drool, food, anddrink. Applicant of the subject application determines that existingbaby bibs may flip around like capes, or may flip over a baby's facewhen lying down. Also, Applicant of the subject application determinesthat a baby may not like to wear an existing bib because it is generallynot comfortable to wear, and it stands out as not being a part of anormal outfit for the baby. Applicant of the subject application furtherdetermines that a baby may easily rip the bib off.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments, a bib includes a front sheet havinga top portion, a bottom portion, a first side, and a second side, afirst shoulder strap extending from, and integrally formed with, the topportion of the front sheet, a second shoulder strap extending from, andintegrally formed with, the top portion of the front sheet, a first sideportion extending from the first side of the front sheet, and a secondside portion extending from the second side of the front sheet, whereinthe first side portion and the first shoulder strap at least partiallydefine a first arm opening, and wherein the second side portion and thesecond shoulder strap at least partially define a second arm opening.

In accordance with other embodiments, a bib includes: a front sheethaving a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side, and a second side,wherein the front sheet is configured to cover a front of a user of thebib; a first shoulder strap extending from the top portion of the frontsheet; a second shoulder strap extending from the top portion of thefront sheet; a first side portion extending from the first side of thefront sheet; a second side portion extending from the second side of thefront sheet; and a back sheet configured to cover a back of the user ofthe bib, the back sheet having a vertical length that is shorter than avertical length of the front sheet so that the back sheet covers aportion of the back and not an entirety of the back, when the bib isworn by the user; wherein the first side portion and the first shoulderstrap at least partially define a first arm opening; wherein the secondside portion and the second shoulder strap at least partially define asecond arm opening.

In accordance with other embodiments, a bib includes a front sheethaving a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side, and a second side,wherein the front sheet comprises a waterproof liner and an exteriorsurface that is made at least partially from cotton, a first shoulderstrap extending from the top portion of the front sheet, a secondshoulder strap extending from the top portion of the front sheet, afirst side portion extending from the first side of the front sheet, anda second side portion extending from the second side of the front sheet,wherein the first side portion and the first shoulder strap at leastpartially define a first arm opening; and wherein the second sideportion and the second shoulder strap at least partially define a secondarm opening.

Other and further aspects and features will be evident from reading thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the design and utility of embodiments, in whichsimilar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. Thesedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In order to betterappreciate how the above-recited and other advantages and objects areobtained, a more particular description of the embodiments will berendered, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to beconsidered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bib in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back of the bib of FIG. 1 in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates another bib in accordance with other embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a back of the bib of FIG. 3 in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates another bib in accordance with other embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a back of the bib of FIG. 5 in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates another bib in accordance with other embodiments; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a back of the bib of FIG. 7 in accordance with someembodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to thefigures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale andthat elements of similar structures or functions are represented by likereference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted thatthe figures are only intended to facilitate the description of theembodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of theinvention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition,an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantagesshown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with aparticular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment andcan be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, orif not so explicitly described.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a baby bib 10 in accordance with some embodiments.The bib 10 includes a front sheet 12 having a top portion 14, a bottomportion 16, a first side 18, and a second side 20. The bib 10 alsoincludes a first shoulder strap 30 extending from the top portion 14 ofthe front sheet 12, and a second shoulder strap 32 extending from thetop portion 14 of the front sheet 12. As used in this specification, theterm “shoulder strap” may be any material with any size and/or shapethat extends over a shoulder of a wearer of the bib 10, and therefore,such term should not be limited to any particular shape of the material.In the illustrated embodiments, the shoulder straps 30, 32 areintegrally formed with the front sheet 12. In other embodiments, theshoulder straps 30, 32 may be detachably coupled to the front sheet 12.The bib 10 further includes a first side portion 40 extending from thefirst side 18 of the front sheet 12, and a second side portion 42extending from the second side 20 of the front sheet 12. As shown in thefigure, the first side portion 40 and the first shoulder strap 30 atleast partially define a first arm opening 50, and the second sideportion 42 and the second shoulder strap 32 at least partially define asecond arm opening 52. In the illustrated embodiments, the first sideportion 40 and the second side portion 42 are integrally formed with thefront sheet 12. In other embodiments, one or both of the side portions40, 42 may be detachably coupled to the front sheet 12.

In the illustrated embodiments, the first side portion 40 comprises afirst strap extending from a first location at the front sheet 12 thatis away from the bottom portion 16, and the second side portion 42comprises a second strap extending from a second location at the frontsheet 12 that is away from the bottom portion 16. The first side portion40 is connected to the first shoulder strap 30 to form a first loop 54that at least partially defines the first arm opening 50, and the secondside portion 42 is connected to the second should strap 32 to form asecond loop 56 that at least partially defines the second arm opening52.

As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the first loop 54 and thesecond loop 56 are advantageous because, when the wearer of the bib 10extends his/her arms through the respective openings 50, 52, the firstand second loops 54, 56 prevent the bib 10 from turning around the neckof the wearer. Also, the first and second side portions 40, 42 areadvantageous because when they are wrapped around the wearer's body,they reduce the amount of front sheet 12 that may flap over the wearer'sface. Also, the armholes are advantageous because they prevent the babyfrom being able to rip off the bib, and also may prevent strangulationif the baby falls asleep wearing the bib.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bib 10 further includes a first back portion 60extending from the first loop 54 (or from the first shoulder strap 30and the first side portion 40), and a second back portion 62 extendingfrom the second loop 56 (or from the second shoulder strap 32 and thesecond side portion 42). The first back portion 60 and the second backportion 62 may be detachably coupled to each other via a securingmechanism 70. When the first back portion 60 and the second back portion62 are detachably coupled to each other via the securing mechanism 70,they collectively form a back portion that extends across a back of auser of the bib 10.

The securing mechanism 70 may be a snap button that includes a firstbutton portion 72 a located at the first back portion 60 for detachablycoupling with a mating button portion 74 at the second back portion 62.The securing mechanism 70 may optionally include additional buttonportion(s) (e.g., button portion 72 b), each of which may be selectivelychosen for coupling against the mating button portion 74 to therebyallow a width of the back portion (and therefore the circumferentiallength of the bib 10) to be adjusted. In other embodiments, the securingmechanism 70 may include a Velcro®, in which case, the bib 10 includes aloop secured to one of the first and second back portions 60, 62, and ahook secured to another one of the first and second back portions 60,62. In other embodiments, the securing mechanism 70 may have othercomponents (e.g., button(s) at the first back portion 60 and matchinghole(s) at the second back portion 62, first zipper portion at the firstback portion 60 and second mating zipper portion at the second backportion 62, tie strings at respective first and second back portions 60,62, etc.).

The first back portion 60 and the second back portion 62 with thesecuring mechanism 70 are advantageous because they allow the bib 10 besecurely worn by the wearer, and prevent the wearer from undressing thebib 10.

The bib 10 may be made from different materials in differentembodiments. In some embodiments, the bib 10 may be made from acombination of Bamboo Viscose and cotton (e.g., organic cotton). Forexample, in some embodiments, the front sheet 12 (as well as the rest)of the bib 10 may have a layer made from 70% Bamboo Viscose and 30%cotton. The combination of bamboo and cotton is advantageous because itcreates a fabric that is machine washable and maintains a soft feelagainst a baby's skin wash after wash. Also, the bamboo material allowsfor maximum absorption. In some embodiments, the Bamboo Viscose may be acertified Bamboo, and the cotton may be certified organic cotton byOEKO. In some embodiments, the certification may be by GOTS. The layermay be a fabric that is made by knitting the Bamboo Viscose and thecotton together. Also, in some embodiments, the front sheet 12 mayinclude an inner waterproof liner made from any waterproof material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the waterproof liner may be a polyurethanelaminated fabric. Also, in some embodiments, the liner may beeco-friendly. In some embodiments, the bib 10 may be reversible so thatthe baby can wear the bib 10 at either side of the bib 10. In suchcases, the bib 10 may have a first exterior layer made from Bamboo andcotton, a second exterior layer made from Bamboo and cotton, and aninner waterproof liner located between the first and second exteriorlayers. Also, in some embodiments, the bib 10 is made from a materialthat is machine washable.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the bib 10 may also include a neck collar 80coupled to the shoulder straps 30, 32 and to the top portion 14 of thefront sheet 12. The neck collar 80 may be made from a soft material,such as cotton, to thereby provide comfort for the wearer of the bib 10.In some embodiments, the collar 80 may be a raw edge collar.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the bib 10 may optionally further include afront pocket 90 for holding objects, such as food, and/or fluid. In someembodiments, the bib 10 may be reversibly worn, in which cases, thepocket 90 may be flipped inside out so that when the bib 10 is reversedfor wear, the bib 10 will also have a front pocket 90.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the bib 10 may optionally also includea graphic 94 at the front sheet 12. In some embodiments, the graphic 94may be printed with durable, lead-free, and phthalate free inks.

In the above embodiments, the first and second back portions 60, 62extend only across a top part of the back of the wearer of the bib 10.Such configuration is advantageous in that it allows the bib 10 to beeasily removed from the baby by a caretaker of the baby. Also, suchconfiguration is advantageous because it allows the wearer to feel lessconstrained and may prevent the wearer from feeling hot. In otherembodiments, as shown in the example of FIGS. 3-4, the first and secondback portions 60, 62 may extend to the bottom of the bib 10 to therebycover the lower back of the wearer. Such configuration is advantageousbecause it provides a vest configuration for the bib 10, and may allowthe wearer to wear the bib 10 like a regular clothing fashionably. Also,such configuration may keep the wearer of the bib 10 more warm, both inthe front and in the back, and therefore may be more suitable for wearduring cold weather.

In the above embodiments, the bib 10 resembles a tank-top or a vest thathas no sleeves. In other embodiments, the bib 10 may optionally furtherinclude first sleeve 200 and second sleeve 202 (FIGS. 5-6). The firstsleeve 200 extends from the loop 54 that is partially defined by thefirst shoulder strap 30 and by the first side portion 40. Similarly, thesecond sleeve 202 extends from the loop 56 that is partially defined bythe second shoulder strap 32 and by the second side portion 42. Suchconfiguration allows the bib 10 to resemble a short-sleeve T-shirt.Also, in further embodiments, the bib 10 of FIGS. 5-6 may alternativelyhave first and second portions 60, 62 extending to the bottom to therebycover the lower back of the wearer (like that shown in FIG. 4).

In other embodiments, the first and second sleeves 200, 202 may be longsleeves (FIGS. 7-8). The first sleeve 200 extends from the loop 54 thatis partially defined by the first shoulder strap 30 and by the firstside portion 40. Similarly, the second sleeve 202 extends from the loop56 that is partially defined by the second shoulder strap 32 and by thesecond side portion 42. Such configuration allows the bib 10 to resemblea long-sleeve T-shirt. Also, in further embodiments, the bib 10 of FIGS.7-8 may alternatively have first and second portions 60, 62 extending tothe bottom to thereby cover the lower back of the wearer (like thatshown in FIG. 4).

It should be noted that the bib 10 is not limited to the examplesdiscussed, and that the bib 10 may have other configurations in otherembodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the bib 10 may have thesecuring mechanism 70 being located at a side of the bib 10 (instead ofat the back of the bib 10). The securing mechanism 70 may have extrasecuring portions (e.g., button portions) for allowing a user toselectively adjust a size of the bib 10. Also, in other embodiments, oneor both of the shoulder straps 30, 32 may be detachably coupled to thefront sheet 12 or to the respective back portions 60, 62. The shoulderstrap may be selectively coupled to one of a plurality of locations tothereby allow a size of the bib 10 to be adjusted.

Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that they are not intended to limit the presentinventions, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the claimed inventions. The specification anddrawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather thanrestrictive sense. The claimed inventions are intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A bib, comprising: a front sheet having a topportion, a bottom portion, a first side, and a second side; a firstshoulder strap extending from, and integrally formed with, the topportion of the front sheet; a second shoulder strap extending from, andintegrally formed with, the top portion of the front sheet; a first sideportion extending from the first side of the front sheet; and a secondside portion extending from the second side of the front sheet; whereinthe first side portion and the first shoulder strap at least partiallydefine a first arm opening; and wherein the second side portion and thesecond shoulder strap at least partially define a second arm opening. 2.The bib of claim 1, wherein the first side portion comprises a firststrap extending from a first location at the front sheet that is awayfrom the bottom portion, and the second side portion comprises a secondstrap extending from a second location at the front sheet that is awayfrom the bottom portion.
 3. The bib of claim 1, wherein the first sideportion comprises a first side panel, the second side portion comprisesa second side panel; and wherein the bib further comprises a first backportion extending from the first side panel, and a second back portionextending from the second side panel, the first back portion and thesecond back portion detachably coupled to each other, and collectivelycover an entire lower back of a user of the bib.
 4. The bib of claim 1,wherein the first side portion is connected to the first shoulder strapto form a first loop, and the second side portion is connected to thesecond should strap to form a second loop.
 5. The bib of claim 4,further comprising a first back portion extending from the first loop,and a second back portion extending from the second loop.
 6. The bib ofclaim 5, further comprising a securing mechanism located at one or bothof the first back portion and the second back portion for detachablysecuring the first back portion to the second back portion.
 7. The bibof claim 6, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a snap buttonhaving a first button portion secured to the first back portion, and asecond button portion secured to the second back portion.
 8. The bib ofclaim 6, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a hook secured to thefirst back portion, and a loop secured to the second back portion. 9.The bib of claim 6, wherein the securing mechanism is selectivelyconfigurable to vary a width of a back portion defined by the first backportion and the second back portion.
 10. The bib of claim 5, wherein thefirst back portion and the second portion have a total combined areathat is less than an area of the front sheet.
 11. The bib of claim 5,further comprising a back pocket coupled to the first back portion. 12.The bib of claim 1, wherein the front sheet has a width measured fromthe first side to the second side that is wider than a width of a bodyof a user of the bib.
 13. The bib of claim 1, wherein the front sheet isconfigured to resemble a clothing for a user of the bib.
 14. The bib ofclaim 1, wherein the front sheet comprises Bamboo Viscose and cotton.15. The bib of claim 14, wherein the front sheet comprises a layerhaving 70% Bamboo Viscose and 30% cotton.
 16. The bib of claim 1,further comprising a collar made from cotton, wherein the collar iscoupled to the top portion of the front sheet, and to the first andsecond shoulder straps.
 17. The bib of claim 1, further comprising afront pocket secured to the front sheet.
 18. The bib of claim 1, whereinthe first side portion is a part of a first sleeve that is coupled tothe first shoulder strap, and the second side portion is a part of asecond sleeve that is coupled to the second shoulder strap.
 19. A bib,comprising: a front sheet having a top portion, a bottom portion, afirst side, and a second side, wherein the front sheet is configured tocover a front of a user of the bib; a first shoulder strap extendingfrom the top portion of the front sheet; a second shoulder strapextending from the top portion of the front sheet; a first side portionextending from the first side of the front sheet; a second side portionextending from the second side of the front sheet; and a back sheetconfigured to cover a back of the user of the bib, the back sheet havinga vertical length that is shorter than a vertical length of the frontsheet so that the back sheet covers a portion of the back and not anentirety of the back, when the bib is worn by the user; wherein thefirst side portion and the first shoulder strap at least partiallydefine a first arm opening; wherein the second side portion and thesecond shoulder strap at least partially define a second arm opening.20. A bib, comprising: a front sheet having a top portion, a bottomportion, a first side, and a second side, wherein the front sheetcomprises a waterproof liner and an exterior surface that is made atleast partially from cotton; a first shoulder strap extending from thetop portion of the front sheet; a second shoulder strap extending fromthe top portion of the front sheet; a first side portion extending fromthe first side of the front sheet; and a second side portion extendingfrom the second side of the front sheet; wherein the first side portionand the first shoulder strap at least partially define a first armopening; and wherein the second side portion and the second shoulderstrap at least partially define a second arm opening.